Ascent Trip Report

While on a short 2 day business trip to Sauda, I took the time to climb to this very unusual rock table top, refered-to as "The Preacher's Chair" - a large flat rock at the very edge of an impressive vertical cliff wall. The over 600 meter straight drop to the Lysefjorden water surface is simply outstanding - haven't seen anything yet to match this unique formation. A very popular destination, the TH information was easy to get.

I arrived here in Stavanger last night, Saturday (flew Montreal/London/Bergen/Stavanger on British Air - 20 hours of travel) and checked in at the SAS Royal Hotel (Italian Floor #409). Tonight at 16h00 hours I will board the ferry for a 2 hour boat ride to Sauda. I had all day so I decided to make the best of it.I got up early, had my breakfast and was checked out by 8h30 hours - they'll hold my bags for the day. I took a taxi to the Stavanger ferry dock and took the Ferry to Tau (a 30 minute ride across the bay). At the dock I met up with a marketing exchange student, 21 year old "Murielle" from Northern France, working in Stavanger. She was also going to Prekestolen, so we decided to hike together and share the taxi costs. We had to take a bus and a taxi to the TH in Jorpeland. Murielle was a very nice polite shy young women who didn't say much. We left the TH around 10h30 for the 2 hour climb to the Chair, we got back to the Tau dock to catch the 15h30 hour ferry for Stavanger.It is an easy hike on a rocky trail, all open with super views in all directions.

The huge rock table is outstanding and unique, a straight drop to the fjord, awesome views of the Lysefjorden. It takes a bit of nerve to walk to the very edge and look 600 meters straight down. Murielle wouldn't go near the edge. We went to the actual high point of the area which is above and behind the cliff's edge. After a light lunch before we descended to the TH, where we took a taxi/bus back to the Tau dock.We got back to Stavanger after 16hoo hours - not in time for the ferry to Sauda, I will have to wait for the 21h00 hour ferry. Said my goodbyes to Murielle and spent the rest of the day walking around the town center. After dinner I walked back to the Hotel for my bags and a taxi to the 21hoo hour ferry for Sauda, a beautiful ride. The coast line of Norway with its fjords and islands is simply amazing and unique in the world. I was checked in at the Sauda Fjord Hotel in a typical room - about 1 meter wider than the single bed with just a duvet/no sheets, I tried to call Rose with no luck. I was in bed by midnight for another long day. In spite of all the travel and today's hike I felt good.